MOST READ TRAVEL
The 2020 Legend Awards are meant to serve as inspiration for future travel—when it is safe to do so. Learn more about this year's awards on our methodology page.
Remote luxury. That's what the best lodges and resorts in the world offer us. Exploring the far-off corners of the Earth with these five-star properties allows for nearly unfettered access to the most lusted-after global destinations. Further, visiting these Legend Awards honorees puts travelers farther off-the-grid than ever before, but ensures their every need is attended to. From the lodges positioned right on the salt flats of Bolivia or the deserts of Namibia, to the resorts on the remote islands of Japan, these Legend Awards honorees offer fully immersive travel experiences.
Of the five-star resorts and lodges that opened between May 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020, these are our editor-selected favorites:
Kachi Lodge, Bolivia
On the largest salt flat in the world, Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, Kachi Lodge opened a hotel featuring six luxury domes in May 2019. Each of the private glamping domes allow guests to stargaze and take in panoramic views of the salted expanse. The seventh dome on property—open for communal use—is decorated with work by Kachi’s rotating local Bolivian artist in residence.
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, Mexico
On Baja’s east cape, slightly north of Los Cabos, the long-awaited Four Seasons Resort at Costa Palmas opened in October 2019. The resort sits right on Costa Palmas’ two-mile coastline and boasts the Four Seasons' very first marina. The 141-room resort is intimate and well-removed from the bustle of Cabo San Lucas, and features five dining options, including the world-class Estiatorio Milos.
Anantara Tozeur Resort, Tunisia
The five-star property in southwestern Tunisian, Anantara Tozeur Resort, opened on December 1, 2019. Surrounded by the dunes of the Sahara Desert, guests will venture into the desert on camelback, or can spend their days touring the quaint and authentic town of Tozeur and lounging at the Anantara Spa.
Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, France
Open as of June 2019 in the Loire Valley, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé is a renovated 18th-century neoclassical country home that once belonged to Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay. The château has 17 rooms and suites, including the ultra-lavish Baron’s Suite, and Versailles-inspired gardens.
Potato Head Studios, Bali
Desa Potato Head opened softly in December 2019 as Bali's first luxe creative village. Potato Head Studios is the 168-room hotel within this enclave, which opened in February 2020. Desa Potato Head currently offers a chic beach club and other spaces, such as an artistic exhibition area and a night club, are forthcoming.
Casa Maria Luigia, Italy
Massimo Bottura’s first foray into the world of luxury hotels, Casa Maria Luigia was once his family’s country home and is now a 12-room boutique hotel. Rustic Italian luxury awaits here, from the outdoor pool and chic landscaping to the on-site vegetable garden.
Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia
Zannier Hotels Sonop opened in the Karas region of the Namib desert in July 2019, with 10 luxe tents perched sturdily atop boulders to reveal awe-inspiring views. From the colonial-inspired decor pieces to the Cocktail & Cigar Lounge open in the evenings, the property has a distinctly ‘20s feel to it. Our favorite part of the Zannier Hotels Sonop experience is, of course, the wildlife excursions on the private game reserve.
Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica
Nayara Tented Camp, in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, opened on December 20, 2019. The18 luxury tents are set in full view of the Arenal Volcano, and each has its own natural hot spring-sourced plunge pool. An eco-friendly resort, Nayara designated a portion of their property to function as a protected sloth habitat.
The Newt in Somerset, United Kingdom
A 23-room retreat in the southwestern English countryside, the opening of The Newt in Somerset was long-anticipated because their owners own the prized South African wine country estate, Babylonstoren. The 18th-century Georgian country house is furnished with modern pieces to produce a perfect interior juxtaposition, and the inviting gardens—open to the public during the day—exude understated luxury.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Utah
Open since June 2019, The Lodge at Blue Sky is the newest property in the Auberge Resorts Collection. The 3,500-acre ranch, located just outside Park City, is a mountainous paradise with a High West Whiskey distillery on-site. The Lodge at Blue Sky’s design, by AJC Architects, is particularly distinctive set against the northwestern backdrop; We love the usage of marble, wood, and slate, and of course, the 70-foot infinity pool.
Kwessi Dune Lodge, Namibia
Set on the edge of the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, Kwessi Dune Lodge opened on March 1, 2020. Once a Namibian farm, the land has been restored and now features 10 lavish chalets set on the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Mexico
The fourth property in the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, opened in November 2019. On the San José del Cabo coastline overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Zadún is comprised of 42 two-story villas holding 115 rooms and suites. We love their Grand Reserve Villa with a pool, jacuzzi, and private gym.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Rwanda
With Volcanoes National Park in Singita Kwitonda Lodge’s backyard, the nine-month-old Rwandan lodge is perfectly situated for gorilla-trekking adventures. The lodge has only eight suites, each of which offer a private plunge pool and both indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
Halekulani Okinawa, Japan
On Japan’s Okinawa island, Halekulani Okinawa opened on July 26, 2019 with the goal of mirroring the island paradise brought to life by their sister property Halekulani on Oahu. Each of their 360 rooms is pure luxury, but we’re partial to Halekulani Okinawa’s five cliffside villas overlooking the emerald sea.
Six Senses Bhutan
Comprised of five lodges in five separate areas of Bhutan, Six Senses Bhutan rolled out the first three lodges, Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, early in 2019. In October 2019, they added their fourth lodge: Gangtey in the Phobjikha Valley. And on March 4, the year-long opening finally culminated in the unveiling of Bumthang, a serene eco-resort built specifically as a “forest within a forest.”
